1. Alternative Energy Sources

2. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Device which Hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce chemical energy that is converted directly into electrical energy, that energy is then used to power the vehicles electric motors. Video

3. What is a Fuel Cell? Alternative power source of electricity A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity.

4. How a Fuel Cell works Carbon Plate (Anode) Catalyst Layer Matrix (Electrolyte) Catalyst Layer Carbon Plate (Cathode) Electrons Hydrogen Oxygen Water

5. Output per Cell This reaction in a single fuel cell produces only about 0.7 volts. To get this voltage up to a reasonable level, many separate fuel cells must be combined to form a fuel-cell stack.

6. What is holding back Fuel Cells? Hydrogen is difficult substance to produce, store and distribute To over come this problem, fuel cells convert readily available fuels into Hydrogen. This process is preformed by a device called a reformer.

7. Facts One gallon of gasoline burned in an internal combustion engine releases twenty pounds of carbon dioxide Fuel cells in vehicles can operate with efficiencies of 40-80% compared with 18% for "state-of-the-art" spark ignition engines The first "commercial" use of fuel cells was by NASA in the 1960s Companies are hoping to produce their first commercial models of fuel cell cars from 2003- 2005

8. General Motors The HydroGen 1 EV-1

9. Ford Focus Converted Econo-line

10. Ford’s Focus Package

11. Chrysler necar 4

12. Toyota FCHV

13. Honda FCXV3

14. BMW 5 Series

15. Volkswagen Hymotion

16. What is a Reformer A reformer converts alcohol fuels into hydrogen. Unfortunately, reformers are not very efficient. They generate heat and produce hydrogen and other unwanted gasses

17. Reference Heating with Wood, DOE, 2000 U.S. Dept. Of Energy, 2000 www.iowastateuniv.edu The Value of the Benefits of US Biomass Power, 1999